The Best of Jamie Fraser: the ultimate book boyfriend

*** However, I take FULL credit for that gorgeous work of art above. I think my effort on that manip is evident.

We’re fairly sure that the past couple of weeks have alerted you all to the awesomeness of Outlander, Diana Gabaldon, and Jamie Fraser. Maybe you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet. Maybe you’re still caught up in our book choices for this month’s Boozy Book Club, and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe you didn’t think Sam Heughan was hot enough for you to bother with an 8 book epic historical series (sidenote: YOU MUST BE CRAZY). Whatever’s holding you back, this is the post that will tip you over the edge*.

Yes. Here’s why.

NOTE: There may be some book spoilers ahead. We are going to be quoting passages and dialogue from the first book, so read at your own risk. It’s safe to read if you already assume the following about the book:

Claire travels back in time in 18th century Scotland and meets Jamie

Claire and Jamie get married

They do married stuff (brown chicken brown cow)

They are also SUPA DUPA in love

If that much was clear to you, then proceed.

He’s Honorable

This might seem like a requisite characteristic for a book boyfriend, but nobody has more opportunity to prove it.

When they first meet, Jamie is injured but still offers to put Claire on his horse as they ride off in the night. As the horse ride continues Claire begins to see bits of JAMMF’s endearing personality begin to emerge. He keeps her warm with his plaid and then takes the blame for her obnoxiously loud stomach growls.

“Better have a wee nip,” he whispered to me. “It willna fill your belly, but it will make ye forget you’re hungry.” – chapter 3

Long before they are married, while traveling with some of Jamie’s clan, Claire wakes and is irritated to find Jamie asleep outside the door to her room at the inn.

“It may interest ye to know there’s a small party of English dragoons stopped in to the taproom below,” he informed me coldly. “They’re a bit gone in drink, and disporting themselves a bit reckless with two women from the town. Since there’s but the two lasses, and five men, some of the soldiers seemed a bit inclined to venture upward in search of uh . . . partners. I didna think you’d care overmuch for such intentions.” – chapter 12

Claire watches Jamie take a public punishment for a young girl. Basically, he gets his head beaten in because this idiot girl is a piece of crap.

“What did you do that for?” I asked curiously.

“What?” he said, straightening up and wiping his face on his sleeve. He felt the split lip gingerly, wincing slightly.

“Offer to take that girl’s punishment for her. Do you know her?” I felt a certain diffidence about asking, but I really wanted to know what lay behind that quixotic gesture.

“I ken who she is. Havena spoken to her, though.”

“Then why did you do it?”

He shrugged, a movement that also made him wince.

“It would have shamed the lass, to be beaten in Hall. Easier for me.”

“Easier?” I echoed incredulously, looking at his smashed face. He was probing his bruised ribs experimentally with his free hand, but looked up and gave me a one-sided grin.

“Aye. She’s verra young. She would ha’ been shamed before everyone as knows her, and it would take a long time to get over it. I’m sore, but no really damaged; I’ll get over it in a day or two.”

“But why you?” I asked. He looked as though he thought this an odd question.

“Why not me?” he said. – chapter 10

He’s even honorable when it’s totally not in his best interests.

I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday … I prayed I’d be strong enough to send ye away. I said, ‘Lord, if I’ve never had courage in my life before, let me have it now. Let me brave enough not to fall to my knees and beg her to stay.’ … Hardest thing I ever did, Sassenach. – chapter 25

He’s Amusing

We are all in agreement that no book boyfriend can be hot and not be funny, right? Who wants to *ahem* a dry piece of toast?

“You’re, er, quite sizable, aren’t you?” I said. A half-smile curved his lips and he nodded, clearly wondering what I was up to.

“Big enough for most things,” he answered.

I was encouraged, and moved casually closer, so as not to be overheard by any stragglers from the square. “And tolerably strong in the fingers?” I asked.

He flexed one hand and the smile widened. “Aye, that’s so. Happen you’ve a few chestnuts you want cracked?” He looked down at me with a shrewd and merry glint.

GEEZ, Jamie. She just wants you to help out this little kid stuck to post. PERV.

Except, he kind of IS a perv. This is right after a fight when they’re outside sleeping with like everyone they know. All dudes.

“Are ye tired, Sassenach?” he asked with concern. “Dinna worry, I won’t take long.” Now both hands were at it, rucking the heavy fabric up in front. “No!” I replied, all too mindful of the twenty men lying a few feet away. “I’m not tired, it’s just —” I gasped as his groping hand found its way between my legs. “Lord,” he said softly. “It’s slippery as a waterweed.” – chapter 18

They have this sweet moment when he’s telling her he’s loved her all along, and he turns it into this business while Claire basically hurls shit at him.

“When I woke in the dark under that tree on the road to Leoch, with you sitting on my chest, cursing me for bleeding to death, I said to myself, ‘Jamie Fraser, for all ye canna see what she looks like, and for all she weighs as much as a good draft horse, this is the woman.’ … He dodged around a chair. “But then that ride through the dark together” – he paused to sigh theatrically, neatly evading my grab at his sleeve — “with that lovely broad arse wedged between my thighs” — he ducked a blow aimed at his left ear … “and that rock-solid head thumping me in the chest … I said to myself …” He was laughing so hard at this point that he had to gasp for breath between phrases. “Jamie … I said … for all she’s a Sassenach bitch … with a tongue like an adder’s … with a bum like that … what does it matter if she’s a f-face like a sh-sh-sheep?” – chapter 27

He’s Protective

No one has ever saved anyone’s life as much as Jamie saves Claire’s. She kind of saves his too, but let’s focus on the hotness of his protectiveness for a minute, aye?

Here he is making a promise to her when they barely know one another.

“Ye need not be scairt of me,” he said softly. “Nor of anyone here, so long as I’m with ye.” – chapter 4

Here he is promising her he’s totes gonna protect her with his hotness and stuff.

“You are safe,” he said firmly. “You have my name and my family, my clan, and if necessary, the protection of my body as well.” … It was no romantic pledge he had made me, but the blunt promise to guard my safety at the cost of his own. – chapter 15

Here he is getting her to safety and being totally surreptitious and sexy while doing it.

He seized my earlobe between his teeth and whispered … “Someone’s near…D’ye see the small opening in the rock?” … He clasped my face and nuzzled me lovingly. “When I say go, get into it and stay there. Have ye the dirk?” He had insisted I keep the dirk … in one of the deep pockets of my gown. He ran a hand playfully down my leg, checking to make sure of its presence. – chapter 18

Here he is saving her life from a total asshole.

“You bluffed your way in here with an empty gun?” I croaked hysterically.“If it were loaded, I would ha just shot him in the first place, wouldn’t I?!” Jamie hissed. – chapter 21

Oh, here he is saving her life again with LOGIC.

I swore an oath before the altar of God to protect this woman. And if you’re tellin’ me that ye consider your own authority to be greater than that of the Almighty, then I must inform ye that I’m no of that opinion, myself. – chapter 25

He’s Brave

This might go without saying, but he’s like LITERALLY the bravest.

When Claire is pretty overcome by some scars from his past flogging.

“There’s worse has happened to others lass,” he said quietly. -chapter 4

His uncle Dougal telling Claire how Jamie got those scars. Poor boy.

“Come Jamie’s turn, he walks up to the post—some men have to be dragged, but not him—and holds out his hands so the corporal can unlock the manacles he’s wearing. The corporal goes to pull his arm, like, to haul him into place, but Jamie shakes him off and steps back a pace. I was half expectin’ him to make a dash for it, but instead he just pulls off his shirt. It’s torn here and there and filthy as a clout, but he folds it up careful like it was his Sunday best, and lays it on the ground. Then he walks over to the post steady as a soldier and puts his hands up to be bound . . . Courage like that is uncommon rare. It wasna ignorance, mind; he’d just seen two men flogged and he knew the same was coming to him. It’s just he had made up his mind there was no help for it. Boldness in battle is nothing out of the way for a Scotsman, ye ken, but to face down fear in cold blood is rare in any man. He was but nineteen at the time,” Dougal added as an afterthought. – chapter 13

And his own feelings about the limits to his courage.

“I can bear pain, myself,” he said softly, “but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have.” – chapter 32

HE’S DEVOTED

Devoted is better than just being romantic – that could work with anyone, anywhere. He’s romantic inclinations are Claire specific.

“ There are things that I canna tell you, at least not yet And I’ll ask nothing of ye that ye canna give me. But what I would ask of ye- when you do tell me something, let it be the truth. And I’ll promise ye the same. We have nothing now between us, save-respect, perhaps. And I think that respect has maybe room for secrets, but not for lies, Do ye agree?” He spread his hands out, palms up, inviting me. -chapter 14

“It’s only … well, I dreamed you were lost, and I couldna find ye. It woke me, and … I wanted to look at ye, is all. To fix ye in my mind, to remember while I’m gone.” –chapter 24

“He said the greatest thing in a man’s life it to lie wi’ a woman he loves,” he said softly. He smiled at me, eyes blue as the sky overhead. “He was right.” – chapter 28

“Ye werena the first lass I kissed,: he said softly. “But I swear you’ll be the last.” And he bent his head to my upturned face. – chapter 28

“I was crying for joy, my Sassenach,” he said softly. He reached out slowly and took my face between his hands. “And thanking God that I have two hands. That I have two hands to hold you with. To serve you with, to love you with. Thanking God that I am a whole man still, because of you.” – chapter 41

HE’S SEXY

You were waiting for the good stuff, right?

On their wedding day. Confidence is hot, James.

Suddenly the inn door opened, and the sun came out, in the person of James. If I was a radiant bride, the groom was positively resplendent. My mouth fell open and stayed that way.

Well over six feet tall, broad in proportion, and striking of feature, he was a far cry from the grubby horse-handler I was accustomed to – and he knew it. Making a leg in courtly fashion, he swept me a bow of impeccable grace, murmuring, ‘Your servant, ma’am,’ eyes glinting in mischief. -chapter 14

I’m skipping the honeymoon chapters because that would make this already WAY too long post WAY TOO TOO LONGEST. But here’s the culmination.

Much later on the edge of sleep, I felt Jamie’s arm around my waist, and felt his breath warm against my neck. “Does it ever stop? The wanting you.” His hand came around to caress my breast. “Even when I’ve just left ye, I want you so much my chest feels tight and my fingers ache with wanting ye to touch me again.” – chapter 17

Claire, upon waking from a dream about a meadow (no relation to that other dream about another meadow).

I floated gently to the surface of reality, and found that the butterfly feet against my stomach were the flaming tendrils of Jamie’s soft red thatch, and the butterfly trapped between my thighs was his tongue. – chapter 24

Being all playful.

“I like to hear the Latin names for things; I never dreamed it would be so pleasant to make love to a physician.” “That,” I said primly, “is an areola, and you know it, because I told you last week.” “So ye did,” he murmured. “And there’s another one, fancy that.” … “And what’s this then?” “You tell me,” I said, clutching his head. But he was incapable of speech. – chapter 24(which has a lot of downstairs time in it)

Ok, this admittedly, is a line you may have heard before but then he says this:

“I’m sorry. I didna mean to hurt ye. But I do want to be in you, to stay in you, so deep. I want to leave the feel of me deep inside ye with my seed. I want to hold ye so and stay wi’ you ‘til dawn, and leave you sleeping and go, with the shapes of you warm in my hands.” -chapter 24

FLIBBERTY GIBBET.

Trust me, the trade paperback I have sitting next to me is 627 pages. There is A LOT more where that came from. It just does NOT get any better than Jamie Fraser … oh, until later books when he’s ALL OLDER MAN AND STUFF. #GAH

*This post may have been written solely for Bekah’s personal reference. I will not comment further.

**Ellie wrote all the cuss words, mom.

TAGS

Current Obsessions: Fantasy novels. John Krasinski. Dr Pepper in a can. Melina Marchetta. Her daughters. Edinburgh. The Captive Prince fandom. Her husband in Carharrt’s. James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. New words. Making friends on Twitter. SUMMATIME.
Beth took 3 years of Latin in high school and now speaks fluent pretension, which fully explains her current preference for gay wizard regency novels. She will roll over for a giant book with a map in the front. She takes comic book recommendations every day but Wednesday.

i actually read it last night after i previewed this post… and i only found one part .. BUT.. i stopped reading once it got less sexual… so maybe i didn’t go far enough

Beth

Well both of the instances I quoted were chapter 24. Seemed a lot of that particular amorous activity for one chapter. No complaints.

Carat

At last month’s book club when Bekah made the “Don’t sniff crotches” comment, I immediately thought “But Jamie did it!” My book is lent out to a friend so I haven’t been able to look it up, but didn’t that happen?! I think he says something about if a horse sniffs your oxter then it won’t be skittish so it should work on him too. Jamie can be logical to a fault, I’m afraid.

Beth

hahaha! Yes. That part’s hilarious. Bekah hadn’t read Outlander yet when we had Boozy Book Club, so maybe that’s why she didn’t like the crotch sniffing part of Written in Red. Or maybe it’s the wolf thing. Probably.

It’s been years since I started reading the Outlander series. This made me remember why I fell in love with him in the first place! Sigh…oh to be his Sassenach!

mcastellanox4

I’ve never been able to say it so well

Luludee

Oh man. I remember all this, but reading it again makes you really remember why he’s so incredibly wonderful. Beware ladies, RL men can not compare.

I was thinking the other day about older Jamie. What will the show do when they get to that point? It doesn’t take long. Third book, yes? So much happens in the books though, that they could probably break one into at least 2 seasons. Gah! I can’t wait!

beth

My assumption is that since Sam is in his 30s, he will keep playing Jamie. I mean, he obviously looks really young at times, but can definitely look older if necessary.
What will be interesting his how young the actress playing Claire is, and how she will age.

Colleen

If Claire doesn’t have “outrageous” hair I will be sorely disappointed. Everyone, in every chapter in every book, refers to her hair – it’s one of her trademarks. Soft waves will be traitorous.

Beth

They have curling irons on set. And pink sponge rollers, probably too. Those always made my stick straight hair look insane on elementary school picture day.

Shawn L. Bird

I still have pink rollers. I scared my students the day I used them this year. White, blue, pink and purple curls on acid. It was…interesting.

There are also wigs of course.

Ellie

We still have a bunch of random rollers in our home too. However, I have to say “Just say no” to the wig.

Vespagirl

Jesus H Roosevelt Christ, No Wigs!!

Shawn L. Bird

I belly dance. Look left at my picture. See that I have white, blue & purple hair? It stands out. I wish to camouflage when I belly dance (I am the one most likely to screw up, ech hem) hence I dance in a long, brown wig. I blend. It is awesome. Good, modern styled, wigs are great! 🙂

Beth

We have issues with wigs here. Nothing against wigs in real life. Just wigs on favorite characters that always end up looking ridiculous. #TheCullens #Khaleesi

Ellie

I actually think that I can get excited about anyone they have to play Claire, but I do like to imagine Beth’s initial suggestion of Jessica Brown Findlay. They should also call TN’s Jamie on set because she is the master of curly hair styling.

Luludee

True. Plus, it’ll probably be a few years before they are required to be older…lots to work with 🙂

yay, the cliff’s notes version of JAMMF-isms. This is a good reference page! One of my favorite Jamie lines, with his virginal farmer viewpoint (paraphrasing) “You mean we face each other? I thought it was from behind …like with the horses”

Beth

Oh *blushes* he’s so INNOCENT. <3 it.

Ellie

That part made me laugh, I wish we could have put it under amusing, but that was unintentional cute stuff.

susan_house

Wow- I need a cigarette- and I don’t smoke! Jamie’s like wine- he just keeps getting better and better. If only he were real and could be cloned- sigh……

Danielle Davis Ludwig

I have read the series 3 times, and will probably read them all again just before the much anticipated Written in My Own Hearts Blood comes out. I just loved that you found so many tasty parts of Jamie to share. Sigh, I want my own Jamie!!!!

Em

Yes, yes, yes! Love your post! I’ve been re-re-re-reading the series and am falling in love with JAMMF all over again. My mom has read it (which is slightly awkward, but outweighed by the glee that I have in sharing my obsession with other humans) but I can’t get anyone else interested in reading the book! I tell them over and over how delightfully awesome it is, but no bites yet (other than mom). *sigh*

Beth

Ok, weel … show this them this post. That’s your new objective. If they aren’t interested after that butterfly quote, then they aren’t human…or at least, female.

It’s been a hard sell for me too! My mother-in-law (who was just my boyfriend’s mom at the time) gave me this book to read when I was 16. It felt creepy to gush about my lust/love for Jamie with her and have been pushing this book on all of my friends since then. Fourteen years later, I still only have three friends who love the series as much as me. I have a feeling Mr. Heughan will encourage a few more people to try the books.

Shawn L. Bird

I am inclined to agree with you. However, they will only be able to share ‘the character’ not the full Outlander experience, since they’ll feel they know having seeing the show, without bothering to read all those pages…

Colleen

Bloody Scot – Luv him

Luludee

Not to distract from the gloriousness of Jamie, but I also can’t wait to see the embodiment of Roger and adult Fergus in a few years! And Ian! Oh my goodness, these books have several wonderful men (personality AND looks!) all led by our Lord of Lallybroch.

Carat

I’m really nervous about who they cast as Murtagh. He was my favorite character (other than Jamie) in Outlander. I held out hope through several books that he would pop back up, even though my husband was logically telling me that he would have died of old age by that point if he hadn’t already died at Culloden.
We have some time before we see the kids grow up, but I’m excited about them too!

Shawn L. Bird

I agree. There are also tidbits in The Exile and later books about Murtagh that could be incorporated in the series- like him actually seeing her come through the stones…

One of my faves in the Fiery cross is Claire waking @ River Run sharing a room with other women up to someone playing/sucking with her feet. She never confirms it was Jamie, but I’ve always assumed it was him since he was waiting for her in the hall. Doesn’t the infamous barn scene take place after that? “Watch me take ye”, ahem, that one. And then the scene on the rock where Jamie is educated by Claire on masturbation. But I think that was in Voyager, I’m not certain of that though. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong.

Shawn L. Bird

Diana has been very firm on the fact that it *was* Jamie sucking on her toes while in the throes of drink, and having won her rings back for her (and Percy’s horses), in face of several vociferous readers’ intents to convince all that it was Philip Wylie.

It was one of those beautiful DG bitchslap altercations on Facebook that Beth would have loved, come to think of it.

swilliams26

I missed that post! I havent been following her page long though. Didnt realize she had one. Until recently. Gah!

Shawn L. Bird

Best Facebook page ever. She is brilliant. She posts daily lines of MOBY (no spoilers) not so daily. Comments are awesome and she frequently responds to them.

EStewart

The rock scene is in beginning of DoA, just read it (again x3)

Peristeri

Well, yes, the barn scene in FC takes place after the feet “teasing”. About the scene on the rock, I think it’s in DOA (reread DOA a few weeks ago) but Diana’s books are so rich in details, I may make a mistake and if so, I’m sure someone’ll correct me !

Sam

Okay wow… Adding them on Goodreads and buying the ebooks now. You totally sold me on them with this post.

Beth

Heck yes! That’s the whole point right there. ENJOY. I’m jealous you get to read them for the first time.

Liz

aaaand I sa-woon! what an amazing little walk down memory lane with JAMMF..I am due a re-read and this (and @Heughan) have certainly *ahem* wetted my appetite…

I haven’t hung out here much, but I was a regular reader at LTT and I’m glad you’re all so into Outlander now, because it’s a current obsession of mine! I’m still not sure that I want to see the story on the screen, but I have faith that Diana won’t let it be ruined. I haven’t seen nearly the speculation over Claire that I have over Jamie. I think that my current choice would be Lara Pulver (Irene Adler), with lighter hair and light brown contacts. She can definitely do feisty, has great bone structure, and is about the same age as Sam. She’s only 5’3, but that would just make him look even taller, which would satisfy some of the complainers.

Beth

She looks like a good Geillis to me. I still like Jessica Brown Findlay for Claire. But I’m sure it will be someone totally unknown.

Janelle

Love it!

szhooper

This is the BEST.SERIES.EVER!!! I literally have read the entire series 3 times, can’t wait for the next one …..

Ginny Place

Love this post. JAMMF + me 4-eva!

Heather

Oh how I wish I could go back and experience JAMMF for the first time again! I will have to settle for the forth (maybe fifth, I’ve lost exact count).

Peristeri

Love your blog Beth ! I have been reading and rereading the Outlander series for 14 years, so… my fav books are Outl., Voyager,DOA, ABOSAA but I enjoy the whole series very much, looking fwd to book 8 !!

Patti

Second time I’m come across one of these wonderful blog posts from you. Not going to leave it to chance anymore, so I subscribed. Really enjoying them! 🙂

Beth

Smart move, Patti. You can follow us on twitter too (@thats_normal) and on Facebook. THEN YOU WON’T MISS OUR AWESOME. 🙂

I couldn’t love Outlander or Jamie more! I just discovered the series in April and have read them all and am now rereading them! I can’t get enough! I am most definitely addicted and am counting the days until book 8 comes out!

Joanna

If only Jamie was real…. I can dream (and do!).

Katiebird

I’m reading Dragonfly in amber right now! I got so excited about the casting, I decided to put off what I should be reading, to have more Jamie. 🙂

Tiffany

My children have known about my affair with Jamie for years. Even my husband understands that I need my alone time with JAMMF! Besides, the hubs ends up benefiting, anyway… 🙂

Phyllis

I know I’m hopelessly unfamiliar with your hysterical vernacular but would love to have a translation for brown chicken brown cow?
PS: never stop blogging pls!

Beth

Brown chicken brown cow = bow chicka wow wow = sexytimes

Helly

You nailed it…..and you’re right…..and he is the best Lit Boyf/Husband ever…*sigh*still speechless

Beautifully written by Diana.
I canna say how I luv Jamie, I have read this series in it’s entirety at least 3 times.
I’m going to see Diana speak in CA on June 12!!!

Twita

Finished the first book a week ago and I still can’t get over Jamie Fraser, King of men. Thank you girls for all this.

Bob Furan

Can someone tell me why Jamies Uncles don’t care for him much? Thanks in advance. I have read all the books but it was a long time ago.

Laura

Thank God for this list. Coming late to Outlander, I missed it the first time around. But I’m catching up a guy friend on Season 2, and after watching the first two episodes, he’s declared that Frank is the loyal, devoted husband, and Claire is a bitch for being cold to him, and only chose Jamie because “every woman likes a bad boy”. A BAD BOY. Yes, my jaw literally dropped. And I immediately came here, knowing you ladies would have a comprehensive list of why Jamie is awesome and better than most every other romance novel hero. I’ll be sending him this post today. It’s ON, Rick.